Chemistry/Biology - Secondary, BAE

Combined major offered by the Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Technology and the Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Technology

104-109 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Chemistry/Biology-Secondary?

The Department of Chemistry, in addition to its core of fundamental studies in Physical, Inorganic, Organic, Analytical and Biochemistry, has added a variety of elective courses that offer diversity in training, study and research at the undergraduate level. Within the department, faculty members are active in many research areas including Organometallic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Photochemistry, Protein and Nucleic Acid Biochemistry, Molecular Biology of Viruses, Electrochemistry, Molecular Spectroscopy, Reaction Kinetics, Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry, Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, and new areas of computer applications.

This major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education offered through Woodring College of Education. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Why Consider a Chemistry/Biology-Secondary Major? 

The programs of study within the Chemistry major provide many benefits to students. There are a wide variety of accredited programs that are designed to meet diverse career goals. There is close student-faculty contact and relatively small classes. The students have direct access to modern laboratory equipment and instrumentation, and there are opportunities for research work under the direction of a faculty advisor.

The Chemistry Department at Western Washington University is approved by the American Chemical Society, and students who complete the Bachelor of Science in the Chemistry program receive ACS certification of their degree.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

The Biology Department has a two-step process for admission into our degree programs. Phase I students are students who have declared their intent to major in biology, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, 205, 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 121, 122, 123) series. Admission to Phase II is based on academic performance in the introductory courses. Students must achieve an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework.

This major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education. See the Secondary Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

As certification to teach high school now requires more than four years of study, advisement prior to or at the beginning of the third year is absolutely necessary to avoid lengthening the program.

Grade Requirements

Recommendation for teaching endorsement normally requires completion of the major with a grade point of 2.50 or better in the required major courses. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the secondary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.